Variation in IFNL4 genotype and response to interferon-based therapy of hepatitis C in HIV-positive patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

The IFNL4 ss469415590 polymorphism has recently be shown to better predict treatment response in chronic hepatitis than the IL28B rs12979860 variant. However, no data exist in patients with HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. Analysing 206 HCV(R)/HIV(R) and 162 HCV(R)/HIV(S) patients, we found that compared with IL28B rs12979860, IFNL4 ss469415590 was strongly associated with response to interferon/ribavirin therapy in HCV(R)/HIV(S) individuals but not in HIV(R)/HCV(R) patients. Thus, effects of the IFNL4 variant may differ in HIV(R) and HIV(S) patients. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.